Why in News ?

Feluda test for Covid-19 is an accurate and low-cost paper-based test strip to detect Covid-19 in less than 30 minutes has been approved for commercial launch by the Drugs Controller General of India.

About Feluda Test

• Developed by a research team of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Tata Group.
  • Acronym for FNCAS9 Editor Linked Uniform Detection Assay.
• Developed by a research team led by Debojyoti Chakraborty and Souvik Maiti of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Tata Group.
  • The test  feluda with 96 per cent sensitivity and 98 per cent specificity for detecting novel coronavirus.
• Test matches accuracy levels of RT-PCR tests
• Feluda test for Covid-19
  • It uses indigenously developed CRISPR gene-editing technology to identify and target the genetic material of SARS-CoV2.
  • Feluda test is similar to a pregnancy test strip.
  • Cas9 protein interact with the SARS-CoV2 sequence in the patient’s genetic material.
  • The Cas9-SARS-CoV2 complex is then put on the paper strip where using two lines (one control, one test) makes it possible to determine if the test sample was infected with Covid-19.
• Comparison with other test rate :
  • Feluda’ test costs just about Rs 500.
  • RT-PCR test costs between Rs 1,600 to Rs 2,000 four to eight hours, but results may take up to a day.
  • Antibody tests costs between Rs 500 and Rs 600 having time duration of  20-30 mins.
  • Rapid antigen test kit 30 minutes, costs Rs 450.
  • TruNat test provides results within 60 minutes for about Rs 1,300.

What is CRISPR gene-editing technology ?

• It is a powerful tool for editing genomes and allows alter DNA sequences and modify gene function.
  • Genome editing or gene editing is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA.
  • CRISPR-Cas9, which is short for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)
• It is use in correcting genetic defects and treating and preventing the spread of diseases.
• This can detect specific sequences of DNA within a gene and uses an enzyme functioning as molecular scissors to remove it.

Source : Indian Express

Topic

GS III : Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology

Current Affairs Compilation : 22 September 2020